Tourism leaders want jail out of downtown Meridian

Some tourism leaders in Meridian and Lauderdale County would like to have the county jail moved out of downtown.

Supervisors heard suggestions last week that the county jail, Sheriff's Department and courts get their own building outside the city.

The Meridian Star reports that James L. McRae, president of the board of directors of the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, told supervisors there are too many prisoners in green-stripe clothes and too much razor wire downtown. He says visitors and prisoners do not mix.

Sheriff Billy Sollie says he has no objections to moving the jail.

McRae said the ideal location would allow the jail, Sheriff's Department and the county courtrooms to be built together with ample parking for jurors and people summoned to court.

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Tourism leaders want jail out of downtown Meridian

Some tourism leaders in Meridian and Lauderdale County would like to have the county jail moved out of downtown.